In the heart of Chicago's Marquette Park neighborhood, a community was shaken by the brazen daylight abduction of 33-year-old Joanna Wright on December 18, 2016. A familiar and well-liked figure in the area where she had grown up, Joanna was known for her work as a hairstylist and as an active member of the local LGBT community. On that Sunday afternoon, at approximately 1:45 p.m., she was walking near the 6400 block of South Washtenaw Avenue, between Talman and Rockwell Avenues, when the unthinkable happened. Witnesses reported seeing three to four unidentified men forcibly pull Joanna, who was screaming and fighting back, into a newer model blue Mazda with Ohio license plates. The car then sped away, and Joanna has not been seen or heard from since.
Joanna, also known by her nicknames Jojo, Jino, or Duwop, is described as a Black female with a light complexion, standing at 5'2" and weighing around 100 pounds. At the time of her disappearance, she had brown, mid-back length dreadlocks with red tips. Her most distinctive features are the numerous tattoos that completely cover both of her arms and hands. These intricate tattoos include the names "Londa" and "Joseph," as well as multi-colored stars and the word "D-UNIT." The Chicago Police Department was immediately notified, and an investigation was launched into her sudden and violent disappearance. Despite efforts to track her cell phone, authorities were unable to gather any information that would lead to her whereabouts.
The investigation into Joanna's disappearance revealed a troubling connection to other local cases, deepening the mystery and the community's concern. Less than a year after she was taken, a friend of Joanna's, Marlo "Chris" Gulley, also went missing from the same neighborhood. Furthermore, just months before Joanna's abduction, in July 2016, a 20-year-old woman named Shante Bohanan disappeared from the area and was tragically found murdered. While authorities have not officially confirmed a link between these cases, the proximity in time and location has led to speculation within the community that they may be connected. The case of Joanna Wright remains an active and unsolved investigation, a painful open wound for her family, friends, and a neighborhood that remembers her as a vibrant and beloved member. The circumstances surrounding her abduction point to a violent and terrifying event, leaving a void and many unanswered questions for those who continue to hope for her safe return.
Last Seen: Dec 18, 2016
